CHAPTER 2: THE BLOODLINE AWAKENS
“I… don’t know what you’re talking about.”
Her voice was soft, uncertain—but no longer broken.
The officer studied her carefully.
“Then allow me to remind you.”
He gestured toward the medal.
“This was worn only by direct descendants of the Vanh dynasty. A bloodline erased twenty years ago during the palace fire.”
The crowd murmured again—this time louder.
“The child who survived…” he continued, “was never found.”
The young mother’s grip tightened around her baby.
A flicker—just a flicker—of memory crossed her face.
Flames.
Smoke.
A lullaby.
A woman’s voice whispering, Run.
She staggered slightly.
“I… remember fire.”
Gasps spread like wildfire through the room.
The blonde woman took a step back.
“No,” she whispered. “No, this is ridiculous—this is some kind of trick!”
The officer’s gaze snapped to her.
“A trick?”
He walked toward her slowly, each step echoing like judgment.
“You insult her. You humiliate her. You call her nothing…”
He stopped just inches away.
“…when she carries a bloodline that outranks every name in this room.”
The woman’s legs nearly gave out.
Meanwhile, the baby in the young mother’s arms stirred softly—then let out a small cry.
The officer turned again, his expression shifting.
“Then that child…” he said quietly.
He didn’t finish the sentence.
He didn’t need to.
Everyone understood.
Royal blood… had not only survived.
It had continued.
The young mother looked down at her child—her eyes filled with something stronger than fear now.
Purpose.
“I don’t care who I was,” she said suddenly.
The room stilled again.
“I only care who I choose to be now.”
Even the officer paused.
May you like
And for the first time—
A faint, proud smile touched his lips.
